5 Tips - Save Money On Gas

Gas prices keep going up, and our wallets keep getting thinner. These tips will go a long way in reducing your gas bills.

1. Avoid Idling: While idling, your car gets exactly 0 miles per gallon. Although starting the car used to use a lot of gas, it's now the same as idling for about 30 seconds. Idling to warm up is particularly bad, as the engine needs extra fuel to warm up. After start up, allow your car to idle 15-30 seconds, then drive conservatively until it reaches normal operating temperature. Park your car and go into the restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through. Idling with the air conditioning on also uses extra fuel.

2. Plan your trips: This can prevent wasting fuel and wasting time. Plan to use alternative routes. Often back roads can prevent you from stopping at traffic lights and more importantly sitting in traffic jams.

3. Drive at a consistent speed: Avoid high acceleration and hard braking. Use cruise control when you can.

4. Check the pressure of your tires: Buy an inexpensive air pump and an accurate tire gauge (not a pencil gauge as they are not accurate). Keep all tires inflated to the pressure as recommended for your car. Go by the tire wall; the sticker on the door frame, fuel filler flap, or manual is for comfort, not fuel efficiency. Generally speaking, a slightly higher pressure will improve fuel mileage and handling, but too high will degrade traction and wear the tires rapidly.

5. Don't overload your car: If you have heavy objects in your car that you don't need, remove them. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where you're going.